Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) has a long and rich history on the Space Coast, dating back to 1925 when it was designated as a fueling stop for airmail service under the Kelly Act. Originally a cow pasture strip north of Kissimmee Highway, the airport has since grown into a major economic driver and high-tech hub over the past 100 years.
Today, MLB is an award-winning airport, recently named the #1 Most Scenic Airport in North America by PrivateFly. com. It serves as the Coastal Gateway to Central Florida and has seen significant growth in air service, leading to a major terminal project that will enhance the travel experience for all customers.
MLB is home to several major aerospace companies, including Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, and Embraer, and has recently announced new routes with Allegiant, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and TUI UK. The airport’s $72 million Terminal Renovation and Expansion Project will add 86,000 square feet of new facilities, including a new security checkpoint, expanded departure area with new gates, restaurants, and retail options, an international baggage claim, a welcome center, and new restrooms to accommodate the anticipated influx of 150,000 international travelers in its first year of operation.
The airport operates under a seven-member board appointed by the Melbourne City Council and the private sector, led by executive director Greg Donovan, A. A. E. It is a public airport that receives no local tax dollars and is funded through the Melbourne municipal budget.
The history of MLB dates back to 1928 when a Pitcairn Aircraft landed on a cow pasture strip north of Kissimmee Highway. In 1933, the City of Melbourne acquired 160 acres to develop a new airport, which was later used as a Naval Air Station during World War II. After the war, the airport was returned to the city and eventually deeded to the Melbourne Airport Authority in 1947. It was originally named Cape Kennedy Regional Airport but was changed to Melbourne Regional Airport in 1973 to better reflect its role.
Over the years, the airport has seen significant growth in air service, with airlines like Eastern Airlines, National Airlines, People Express Airlines, and Delta Air Lines operating out of MLB. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Eastern Airlines even offered flights to three centers in the space program: Huntsville, Alabama, St. Louis, and Seattle.
In recent years, the airport has experienced tremendous growth with new and expanded facilities from its major tenants, such as Sheltair Aviation, Apex Executive Jet Center, Embraer Executive Jets, Florida Institute of Technology Research Park, and more. These companies, along with several others, have contributed to the airport’s economic impact of over $1 billion annually.
With its three runways, a 200,000 square foot terminal, and a 40,000 square foot customs facility, MLB serves